Toby Lived Here

by Hilma Wolitzer

While in foster care, Toby and her sister learn what “family” really meansWhen Toby’s father dies in a car accident, her mother gets a new job and a cheaper apartment. At first it seems as if everything might be all right, but soon the pressure gets to be too much. Toby’s mother stops cooking, stops talking, and starts crying or laughing at random times. When she is committed to a rest home, Toby and her sister, Anne, are placed in foster care  against their will.. The Selwyns are a kind couple, but nothing about their house feels like home. The artwork is tacky, the music is lame, and the kitchen table is depressing yellow Formica. But in her simple little bedroom, Toby finds a haven. As she and her sister struggle to adjust to their scary new life, she learns that family is what you make it, and home can be anywhere you feel at peace. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Hilma Wolitzer, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Hilma Wolitzer (b. 1930) is a critically hailed author of literary fiction. She is a recipient of Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature, and a Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award. Her first short story appeared in print when she was thirty-six. Eight years later she published her first novel. Her novels and stories have drawn praise for illuminating the dark interiors of the American home. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Julie Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, but a little heavy.

[Joyce Weiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great book! For fans of coming of age!

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toby and Anne's mother had a nervous break down after their father's death. The girls are taken into foster care and find a home that they did not expect to find.

Besides the issues of homelessness and death, this book discusses the role of family. What happens when a family breaks up? Who can be a family? How can one be an individual and still fit into a family? These are questions the girls must find answers to while finding their identities in a chaotic world.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one offered an okay little read. I was looking forward to seeing the author's view of two children at different stages of their life dealing with the grieving process, but I felt a little disappointed at how nonchalantly this was handled. There were a few moments that did tug on my heartstrings, particularly the scene of Toby's birthday, and her visit with old classmates, but in general the entire piece felt quite lackadaisical in nature. The ending was also incredibly abrupt, and while I did find the closing lines to be well-done, I wish they were coupled with a build-up that left an actual impact.

I do understand this one was written to engage with younger audiences, but nevertheless, it was unfortunately quite the forgettable read.

[Hayley H · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites it's very short but such a good story.